Fully hollow and carved Les Paul

WezV

Ordered some of the solid caesin (milk protein) tortoishell from Rothko and frost to try for the pickguard and truss rod cover

Should go nice with an antique burst

WezV

here is the scratchplate material





i toyed with the idea of doing a backplate in it, but will likely go for two guards and a truss rod cover

WezV

made a couple of guards, didn't have enough for a truss rod cover too, but this was a lot less wasteful

i ended up trimming one edge of the guard for this guitar by 3mm, the edge by the strings.   The guard looked massive without a bridge pickup cutout, taking 3mm off the long edge made it balance a lot better visually. 

TTony

That hollow body is coming together really nicely.  The proportions just look right - brilliantly judged!

greggreg66

Nice one Wez that's looking awesome!

Teyeplayer

That looks amazing on the black top! 

WezV

Yeah, I quite like it.  It's currently sitting on an aluminum guard.  Might save this one for the custom style I am building

PeteC

Nice pick guard - Classy looking on that hollow body 

WezV

started putting some sanding sealer on, i normally start by brushing a couple of coats on 

also got the back plate fitted with some temporary screws to hold in place  through finishing.  Note the edge of the  body now has a very slight chamfer... its amazing how comfy it feels after such a little step

enjo

Like the detail on the cover, top work.

WezV

This show how I left the edges

WezV

PeteC

yes that's subtle and elegant too. 

JGTay

Looking very nice Wez, subtle and elegant like Pete says. 

andy_k

This popped up, had to post it somewhere, deserves to be here- similar level of ninja skills.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iphJwCNbNSI

WezV

some nice tips in that vid, I like his method for joining the top with a handplane.   I think I need one of those big gouges

SteveRobinson

That video is fascinating,thanks for posting @andy_k ;

JGTay

That video is very impressive, some great techniques involved, a true master of his art and totally agree with Wez, those big gouges are something to look out for... 

TTony

What a video @andy_k !

He has some sharp blades on his tools...

WezV

looking at tailpieces again,the Duesenberg version of a trapeze tailpiece is pretty reasonably priced.   Its simple and elegant, but still kinda different to the common types out there.    I think it will match the staple pickup well, so i ordered one.   Couldn't resist a pair of their strap locks too
https://store.duesenberg.de/en/hardware-parts/60/duesenberg-3-step-trapeze-tailpiece